How to save money in college & after

I didn't appreciate the concept of saving money until recently. Life after graduation is different because suddenly bills become really real, payment requests come out of nowhere, and your paycheck just seems smaller than you expected.

  

While I did earn money and save it in college, I've taken that mindset to a whole new level since graduating. I'm definitely saving up for several reasons: grad school expenses, upcoming business ventures (eek!), investments, and an emergency fund. Hey, with the government shutdown, an emergency fund actually sounds pretty brilliant.

The point is, I'm currently on a spending diet. Spending clean is similar to eating clean, haha. And easier than you think. There are lots of little things that I do that save hundreds every month - hundreds! So I'm sharing the small steps I've taken to save money and some tips on saving money for college students and for anyone!

How I saved money in college

  

Using my student discount

Attended meetings and events with free meals

Set up a savings account for money earned from working during school

Limited myself to 3 meals a day

Doing laundry at my parents' house

Split room decor costs with my roommates

Borrowed/rented textbooks when possible; always sold back textbooks to the bookstore

Used my laptop/iPad for note taking instead of restocking on pen/paper supplies

Participated in surveys and tests with free meals or compensation

Carpooled with friends to events to save gas

Went to my school's recreation center instead of paying for fitness classes

Wrote for the yearbook & had on campus jobs (saving money from those payments)

Sold clothes at Plato's Closet/other consignment stores

Pumped gas outside of the city (it's 30-50 cents cheaper)

How I save money now/post grad life

Decide on the items I truly need to buy each month and only set aside spending money for those

Limit the number of days I eat out during the week (1 or 2)

Check my bank account on a regular basis to monitor spending and saving

Cook at the beginning of the week and pack lunches and dinners for the week

[Take my lunch to work at least 3 days a week]

Using coupons or deals when grocery shopping

Mark dates in my planner for when to put X amount of $ into savings

Explore the city for free events and attractions

Invite friends over for dinner and they bring dessert or drinks

Limit online shopping and real life shopping; instead I do lots of online browsing

Participate in customer awards programs at grocery stores/stores I need to go to

Be more creative with gifts instead of buying pricey gifts or gift cards from the store

Use Scoutmob when I do eat out

Research internet/tv/power providers to get the best pricing possible and ask for promotional deals

Set small and large goals for saving and keep up with them; ultimately create a monthly budget

Use iPhone apps like Mint

Celebrate when I reach a savings goal and remind myself why I'm saving

How do you save money when you're on a spending diet?

And what are you saving up for?